Comparison of safflower oil extraction kinetics under two characteristic moisture conditions: statistical analysis of non-linear model parameters

• Main Authors: E. Baümler, M. B. Fernández, S. M. Nolasco, E. E. Pérez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Society of Chemical Engineering 2014-06-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering
• Subjects: Effective-diffusion coefficients; Extraction kinetics; Safflower
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-66322014000200025&lng=en&tlng=en

In this study the kinetics of oil extraction from partially dehulled safflower seeds under two moisture conditions (7 and 9% dry basis) was investigated. The extraction assays were performed using a stirred batch system, thermostated at 50 ºC, using n-hexane as solvent. The data obtained were fitted to a modified diffusion model in order to represent the extraction kinetics. The model took into account a washing and a diffusive step. Fitting parameters were compared statistically for both moisture conditions. The oil yield increased with the extraction time in both cases, although the oil was released at different rates. A comparison of the parameters showed that both the portion extracted in the washing phase and the effective diffusion coefficient were moisture-dependent. The effective diffusivities were 2.81 10-12 and 8.06 10-13 m²s-1 for moisture contents of 7% and 9%, respectively.